Bushland Reserves
Leave only footprints, take only photographs
Within the Shire, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy a great number of beautiful bushland reserves and national parks that are home to an array of native species, including endangered ecological communities.
Wingcarribee Shire Council manages over 3,000 hectares of community and Crown land in over 30 large and small bushland reserves.
Many of these reserves are not well known but are key to protecting and conserving wildlife such as koalas, greater gliders and glossy-black cockatoos.
Flora and fauna need to be protected from illegal activities such as tree felling and firewood collection, rubbish dumping and other key threats such as invasive weeds and vertebrate pests such as deer, foxes, rabbits and pigs.
These reserves are important sanctuaries for people too.The 30 council-managed reserves offer residents and visitors a broad range of attractions including remarkable photo-taking opportunities, bushwalking, bird watching, or picnicking.
Council-managed reserves are accessible by sign posted walking tracks. We ask that all visitors stay on the walking tracks, leave pets at home, do not interfere with plants and wildlife, and take all of your rubbish with you when you leave.
Our motto for our network of bushland reserves is "leave only footprints, take only photographs."
Bushfire danger
Bushland reserves are closed during conditions of catastrophic fire danger. Entry is not recommended during a Total Fire Ban.
Please check the Rural Fire Service bushfire ratings for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven district before entering bushland reserves during bushfire seasons.
Flora and fauna
Native wildflowers at Bundanoon.
Council-managed reserves provide a variety of habitats to support populations of native fauna species and are also a popular recreational resource for the Shire's residents.
Bushland in Wingecarribee contains wallabies, eastern grey kangaroos, koalas, bandicoots, possums, quolls and echidnas, as well as a variety of reptiles, amphibians and birds.
Mansfield Reserve at Bowral has been previously been described as a "koala sanctuary."
Wingecarribee Shire Council is well aware of the present need to protect and regenerate its areas of bushland that are still intact in order to conserve the biodiversity of flora and fauna in our region.
Banksia at Bundanoon.
To support this objective, a Biodiversity Study of the shire has identified the type and location of vegetation communities and has interpreted this information into a series of maps designed to help planners and landholders manage their land for optimal biodiversity.
It also provides opportunities to increase the biodiversity values of the Shire through habitat improvement initiatives and to contribute to improved maintenance of the wealth of biodiversity within the area.
Council’s Bushcare and Rivercare team help with revegetation, weed control and other conservation activities. Bushcare volunteers are vital to the success of these activities and complement the work of Council's Bushcare team.